Thursday, December 10, 2009

a final post

Taking deep breath. Okay.

It's sort of with mixed feelings that I say good-bye to this blog after almost four years. When I started this blog, I didn't actually even intend on blogging. I just set it up so I could comment on other blogs (yes, I really thought then that you had to do that). And then, once I did start blogging, I never really intended to be a book blogger.

Okay, truth be told, I've never considered myself a book blogger anyway. But...I met so many incredible people in the book blogging world. And some of the most enormous blessings of my life are the close, loving friendships I've made in this community. And I am most certainly not saying goodbye to those friendships!!!! But I am saying goodbye to the book blogging world. At least in a sense.

I could list the 154 reasons that have precipitated this decision, but honestly it doesn't matter. Bottom line, I just have never felt quite like I belonged, and even more importantly, I just want a fresh start. So, I'm going to be blogging at a new blog...not a book blog. Really, it's a good thing for me.

This doesn't mean I won't be reading any of your blogs though. Come on, I'm not into masochism...I love reading book blogs...and I'm not going to go cold turkey here. But I do need to shrink the number of blogs in my reader, for sanity's sake. Just know that if I'm still reading your blog, I DO NOT expect you to read mine. I've never quite bought into that idea that someone should be reading my blog just because I'm reading theirs. Seriously, if I'm reading your blog, it's because I enjoy reading it...I'm already getting my reward.

This is the hard part...in a way, I feel like I should leave a link to my new blog. But see, the last thing I want is for people to follow me over there because they feel like they "should." So, I think I'll just make this goodbye.

62 comments:

Debi, you know that I, for one, can't just say goodbye. I don't care if you're talking about books or not, honestly. I like you. You for who you are. I'm already following several of your other blogs because I like to hear what you say. If that's enough of a reason for you to let me know where you're blogging now - because I really do want to read it, not out of any obligation at all - please let me know where to find you.

Debi - Yours is one of my favorite blogs! What I enjoy most is the fact that you mix it up more than the fact that you were part of the book blogging community (I get tired of reading book reviews, if truth be told). I would love to find you on your new blog but respect your wish for a bit more privacy. However, like Molly and Amanda said, please let me know how I can find your new blog - even in private via e-mail! Pretty please!

I found the new blog, but there doesn't appear to be a comment button. Oh well! I'll just have to e-mail with anything profound that I have to say. Love you, and will miss this blog but do understand all too well.

I'm having a bad week, and this just another disappointment. I haven't kept up with your blog as much in the past year as I was before I switched jobs, but I always enjoy reading what your family is up to when I do catch up (even though I rarely comment). I do hope you'll keep in touch via Twitter. I'm going to miss your blog, Debi. :'-(

Um...I am not sure I will survive if I don't get updates on the Stevens family on a blog somewhere. So expect me to hunt you down. OK, maybe that is extreme, but if you are going to continue blogging about the family, I really would love to keep up with all of you in the blogging world!

I don't think that we've ever been properly introduced or spoken to each other much. Maybe a comment here or there, a tweet or two. I know I've had your blog in my reader for quite some time and am always happy when one of your posts pops up. Most of all I loved that your posts were not just about books, but about your family and your interests and just plenty of other things about YOU. So, I'll miss you. But I understand if you don't want to share your new link and I'm very sorry to hear that this blog won't continue. :(

A friend and I were talking the other day about the inevitability of change and moving forward. I know you've been struggling with this decision for awhile, Debi, and I'm glad you finally have come to a resolution. I may have wished for a different outcome, but I know you have to do what is best and right for you. I wish you the best with your new blog. I do wish you'd share the link!

I'm sad you're leaving Debi, as I've only recently discovered your blog and really like what you do here (and now I follow you on Twitter, too!). I wish I had gotten to know you better, but best wishes with everything!

seriously, I don't mind you not talking about books. Reading about your family and your life is always comforting,in a way. You can talk about anything going on in your life, and then if that happens to be a book that you liked, then good! I will enjoy it anyway. But I respect the fact that you want to start with a clean slate, it might be more symbolic for you, more liberating, if you felt like you didn't belong (which you so did!).anyway, good luck with your new blogging life, whichever form it's going to take:)

Debi, I don't just come here to read about your books. I love to come here to read about all that is happening in your life. I love to hear about all the family. Please let us know where you are. It won't be the same without you here.

I read this with a heavy heart Debi. I've felt that we've made a connection with books and scrapping. I'm so blessed to have run into your blog a while back...I hope that you'll let us know when you want where we can find your new space. I just find you interesting and love reading your thoughts on things and the stories your share with us about your life.

Seriously??? You can't just quit! Ok, i guess you can, but now I'm incredibly sad. Here I was on my way over here to thank you for being one of the sweetest people I have ever met. And you are gone! Can you hear the tears???

I'm very sad to hear this. You may or may not want to be told this, but you have always belonged and been firmly entrenched in this community of ours. There are many in this 'book blogging' community, myself included, who post about many things, not just books we have read. I have really enjoyed getting to know you and your family over the years of you doing this blog and I expect to see you on the other one as well. I meant what I said in my email!!! :)

Oh my, this took me totally by surprise. I had no idea you were thinking of quitting this blog. You absolutely positively must post your new one, or email me the link. Or else, I'll start hounding you and believe me, you don't want me to start hounding you :) I'd love to read whatever you write about, books, life, your wonderful kids and family, homeschooling, crafts, school, whatever.

Can you email me your link? I'm clueless on the web, considering it took me years to find there were even people talking about books here! I just found you, and I sure don't want to lose touch with you, Debi. Please, pretty please?

Hi, ur blog is really good and interesting u should promote it, I knew a website called blogerzoom.com for advertising and marketing, They are offering very unique features with cheap prices. They will promote ur blog through all over the network, all u have to do is pay more or less and rest leave it to blogerzoom advertising team to promote ur blog in every network. And see how u enjoy a lot of traffic while blogging. Finally happy new year to u and ur family in advance..

Sorry it took me a while to see this, I've been a bit awol lately, but I am really sorry you won't be blogging here anymore. I will do my best to track you down and find your new blog, book related or not. Missing you already.

Well I have been totally out of it and missed this! I keep thinking I'm gonna get back to blogging but keep putting it off. :)I hope you do let us know where you are and what's going on! Have always enjoyed reading here and hearing from you from time to time!

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Hey Debi - I don't know if you'll even see this, but I hope so. I kinda dropped off the blogosphere for several months and am just now getting back. I was trying to make the rounds on all my favorite blogs and get caught up. I wasn't expecting this when I came here! I don't even remember how we found each other's blogs, but it had nothing to do with books. Seems like you had not even done much book blogging when we first "met". So I will definitely miss you now that I've re-entered the blog world! If you see my comment, I would love for you to let me know how to find your new blog. I feel like a bad friend that it's been so long that I've been by - but I really had to take a long and much needed break from it all!(though it wasn't even planned, it was a good thing for me!) Anyway, if you don't let me know how to find you, I'm sure you have your reasons, but I'd love to reconnect! Hope all is well with you!

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